Prevalence and natural history of scoliosis and associated congenital vertebral anomalies in patients operated for esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Scoliosis has been reported after repair of esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF). This study aims to investigate the prevalence and natural history of scoliosis and associated congenital vertebral anomalies in patients operated for EATEF. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients operated for EA-TEF with radiological examination for the presence of scoliosis or associated spine congenital anomalies was done on 106 patients (ages 5-19 years). RESULTS: Scoliosis was found in 53 patients (49%) for which 46 of these were in the thoracic region and 33 were right-thoracic curves. After a follow-up ranging from 5 to 14 years, four patients (3.7%) out of 106 were operated for scoliosis. Right-sided thoracotomy (RST) was the identifiable risk factor for scoliosis development; all patients with scoliosis had their EA repaired through RST. Congenital vertebral anomalies were found in 8 of those patients (7.5%). After a median follow-up of 6.5 years, no patients progressed enough to require operation. CONCLUSION: Scoliosis affects one of every two patients operated for EA; it may progress to the indication of surgery. RST was the identifiable risk factor for scoliosis development.